Vicksburg uniforms.

[major bill]

At times seems that the war in the east gets most of the coverage in books about Civil War uniforms. I would think a book about uniforms in the Western Theater would be well received. Perhaps "Confederate Uniforms at Vicksburg" or "Union and Confederate Uniforms Worn at Vicksburg" would be of interest to many Civil War buffs.

We are seeing many new books covering the Western Theater, but not so much on the uniforms wore there.

 

[FedericoFCavada]

Perhaps not. Some of the Troiani artwork and so on covers some of the Western Theater, as you know. Confederates in frock coats, armed with flintlocks, use of the dress hat and slouch hat vs. chausseur or bummer, kepis from pre-war militia, etc.

While visiting Vicksburg this past summer there were some Secesh reenactors including some very young lads who'd gone all out on their über-authentic-correct Louisiana uniforms. Very knowledgeable chaps about their particular unit, and some interesting equipment/ kit. Being a NPS National Historic Battlefield, all of the arms had to be modern-day replicas. All Enfields among them, plus a 12-pounder Napoleon.

One issue I've detected in the uniformology literature is a tendency to portray all kinds of elaborate pre-war militia uniforms that were very unlikely actually worn in the field.

There has been much research on some of the Texas Huntsville State penitentiary-produced woolen goods and the issuance thereof for Texas secessionists.

 

[mofederal]

I think you are probably right about the militia uniforms. Some were a little too showy for their own good, but still some might have made it. One of the things being about the durability of the uniform in the field. I know in some cases units also had a separate field uniform, the other being strictly for dress. I would like to see a book about western uniforms from both sides. Like the recent Frontier Army books by Donald McChristian.

 

[gary]

Perhaps it was Joseph Stockton's War Diary, but the author remarked how well attired the Confederates were at the surrender.

 

[Tailor Pete]

Perhaps it was Joseph Stockton's War Diary, but the author remarked how well attired the Confederates were at the surrender.

Makes sense in a way. Hard marching puts a strain on uniform items, and the ability to replace them. While under siege, uniforms might just last a bit longer, especially if new issues were had on the eve of the stalemate. As for militia uniform items, I'd expect more civilian articles present in the summer of '63 than I would pre-war kit. Perhaps some knapsacks and leather goods might have lasted this long, but little else, I suspect.

 

[Championhilz]

At times seems that the war in the east gets most of the coverage in books about Civil War uniforms. I would think a book about uniforms in the Western Theater would be well received. Perhaps "Confederate Uniforms at Vicksburg" or "Union and Confederate Uniforms Worn at Vicksburg" would be of interest to many Civil War buffs.

We are seeing many new books covering the Western Theater, but not so much on the uniforms wore there.

You should take a look at the Adolphus Confederate Uniforms Website - Fred Adolphus has written extensively on Western Theater uniforms, and his research is first rate: http://www.adolphusconfederateuniforms.com/index.html